Washington, D.C.—Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) helped protect Zapata ranchers from being forced to vacate their grazing lands by providing funding to support consideration of rancher lease renewals in the FY21 State and Foreign Operations bill. Specifically, Congressman Cuellar secured $250,000 for U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) staffing and other resources, so they can properly administer grazing leases and extend renewals for the land. The Congressman also secured $250,000 under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), facilitating the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) review of public input from Zapata ranchers when determining the proper use for the land and the environment.

This bill now goes to the House Floor for consideration before moving to the Senate.

“This year, over 100 Zapata ranchers almost lost their grazing land, potentially forcing their families and their cattle to leave during the coronavirus pandemic,” said Congressman Cuellar. “This funding will allow IBWC to fully support these ranchers and industry in Zapata and the state of Texas, preventing ranchers from being vacated from their land. In addition, the NEPA funding will allow the EPA to obtain public input on possible changes to the grazing lease program. I am committed to fighting for our ranchers in Zapata so they can continue to provide for our community.”

“I would like to thank Appropriations Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Member Granger, as well as Subcommittee Ranking Member Rogers for including this important language. I also want to thank IBWC Commissioner Jayne Harkins, and the rest of her staff, for working with us on this issue and waiting until Congress was able to address the problem.”

Grazing leases, administered by the IBWC, facilitate a cost-effective way for the federal government to maintain property and clear vegetation along the Rio Grande, while benefiting the local agricultural industry. However, last month, more than 100 ranchers in Zapata received an unexpected letter from the IBWC demanding they vacate land their families have owned for generations. Furthermore, between 2009 and 2017, 78 grazing leases with ranchers on floodplain property were terminated.

In 1935, Congress authorized the IBWC to lease or dispose property on the U.S.-Mexico border. The construction of Falcon Dam flooded grazing land in Zapata in 1954, displacing many ranchers. Soon after Falcon Lake filled, the IBWC entered into grazing leases with the ranchers who previously owned the land. With these leases, ranchers are able to run their cattle When the land is not covered by water from Falcon Lake.

To see Congressman Cuellar’s speak on the Appropriations floor about this IBWC funding, click here.

To read Congressman Cuellar’s language in SFOPS Appropriations Bill for IBWC funding, click here.